Prof Mats Lekander
Description:
Position
Researcher
Background/Education
M Sci Psychology 1990, PhD Psychology (Faculty of Medicine) 1996
Research profile/Current work
I work in the intersection between psychology and biomedicine. In particular, I study the interaction between the brain and the immune system and the role of behavior in this interaction. This may for instance relate to the effects of stress or inadequate sleep on the immune system and brain function. Several relevant studies are focused on allergy. A particular interest lies in how the immune system affects brain activity and thus the subjective health experience. In this area, I study how both acute and chronic inflammation affects the sensitivity to pain, fatigue and the so-called self-rated health. My interest in the mechanisms underlying general health and stress, has in recent years also been applied in treatment research, where several studies are ongoing. One example is acupuncture and the role of placebo and the interaction between therapist and patient have on the effectiveness of the therapy. Other studies, includes the treatment of insomnia or health anxiety (hypochondria) using cognitive behavioral therapy, or how the ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) can be used for chronic pain conditions. In almost all studies, biological and psychological scales of observation complement each other in order to provide a better understanding.
Dissertation
Psychosocial factors and immune parameters during cancer chemotherapy, 1996
Membership
Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society
Selected publications
Lekander, M., Elofsson, S., Néve, I.-M., Hansson, L.-O., & Undén, A.-L. (2004). Self-rated health is related to levels of circulating cytokines. Psychosomatic Medicine, 66(4), 559-563.
Olgart Höglund, C., Axén, J., Jernelöv, S., Müller-Suur, C., Smith, Y., Kemi, C., Grönneberg, R., Stierna, P., Eklund, A., Grunewald, J., & Lekander, M. (2006). Changes in immune homeostasis in response to examination stress in atopic and healthy individuals. Clinical and Experimental Allergy 36(8), 982-992.
Lekander, M., Axen, J., Knutsson, U., Olgart Hoglund, C., Werner, S., Wikstrom, A. C., & Stierna, P. (2009). Cytokine inhibition after glucocorticoid exposure in healthy men with low versus high basal cortisol levels. Neuroimmunomodulation, 16(4), 245-250.
Wicksell RK, Melin L, Lekander M & Olsson GL (2009). Evaluating the effectiveness of exposure and acceptance strategies to improve functioning and quality of life in longstanding pediatric pain--a randomized controlled trial. Pain. Feb;141(3):248-57
Axelsson J, Sundelin T, Ingre M, van Someren, EJW, Olsson A & Lekander M (2010). Beauty sleep: Sleep history affects perceived attractiveness and health. British Medical Journal, 2010;341:c6614.
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